The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-07-15

/ msne osths Orsad Army - the Rspuhlle
and Preseneing nls Reasons oos - Dolng.
IT. LOUIS, July q Tho question Of the
| presid ontial visit during tho Grand Army
! Encamp mont next fall has been definitely
4 settled The President will not be here.
| This morning Mayor FranciH a. chair
man Of the special committee appointed
(. BY the general executive committee Of the
, Grand Army Encampment, received . let
| ter from the Executive Mansion signed BY
Prcsitlent Cleveland. declining the invi-
tation sent 20 him In February last by
that special committee. Al the same time
the mayor, ~ chairman Of tho citizens
committee, which organised the popular
movement and OF the delegation which
bore the popular invitation 70 WASH
ington. received letter from the Prcsi-
dent withdrawing his acceptance OF the
invitation, and stating At greater length
the reasons WIN no will not be here
during tho cncampmont These letters
were mailed AZ II p. m. the mt Of July
& and were delivered AZ the MAYORS Of
nee this morning The frat IL a. follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION
WAsHfNGToN. July 4. 1887.
10 Darid n. Francis. Mayor Of ~ CRY Of 81
louis; Frank Gaisari>. Prssid<af or fhe Mr.
chanf~' Erchaag<, and John w. Nobl<. Com
1880 f'ttf~< - t<''*tf W ~ - w. ~ rs
Comniffs<.
GENTLEMEN: While have hitherto made no
formal response 10 your invitation given in
February last to myself and Mrs. Cleveland 70
attend the National Encampmcnt OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic. 20 be held In 81 Louis
from the ssth TO the 10th Of September next.
have verbally indicated my purpose 20 accept
II III should md Il possible then TO be absent
from Washington.
The statement contained In your letter that
the organization was never in so nourishing 4
condition as now. nor It's membership 80 large:
that no effort had been spared by the citizens az
st. Louis 70 insure welcome OF unusual
warmth al this, the first encampment OF that
body ever held In Southern State. and your
suggestion that no compliment more fitting
could be bestowed upon the valiant defenders Of
acommon country BY the Chief Executive OF a
restored Union. and none would be more highly
appreciated than that conferred by his presence
n such time and place" enlisted my feeling
and interest.
More recently Indications have been disclosed
that, however correctly you expressed the pre-
vaing sentiment in the Grand Army. there are
members and some posts OF that body enter
tanning different feelings in respect 70 my ac-
ceptance, and that my acceptance Of your inyi-
tation would lead TO discord In the organization
Is we'll as an interruption OF cordially at the
coming encampment
Without entering into . discussion OF these
opinions and unmoved by any feeling although
deeply regret the condition can but regard
II my duty 10 refrain from contributing BY my
action TO so undesirable a result
Nothing can be OF greater importance in con-
nection with the encampment than the free and
unrestrained manifestation BY its participants
OF that patriotic fraternity OF feeling suggested
by the selection Of the place OF holding IL and
which Is ~ once the proof OF the complete sue
cess OF their arms and the highest glory Of our
veteran soldiers.
am constrained therefore 10 withhold INV
purposed acceptance OF your invitation In
doing 50 assure you OF my unfeigned hope and
sincere wish that IN the agreeable entertain
ment prepared for them BY the hospifable PEG
pie Of 81. Louis the veterans OF the Grand Army
pay enjoy the most pleasant profitable and
useful reunion in their history
Very truly yours
GROVER CrEvELASD.
THE SECOND LETTER.
In which the President wifhdraws his &C !
ccpsance Of the popular invitation. Is as
follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WARRINGTON. July. 4. lsss.
Hon. Drrm n. Frdscs. Mayor and ChGirnqn.
MY DEAR SIR-when received the ex- /
tremely cordial and gratifying invitation from \
the citizens OF ST. Louis. rendered by num-
Der OF her representative men. 20 visit that Il
city during the National Encampmcnt OF the \
Grand Armyof the Republic, had been con- 4
for some time the acceptance or an
invitation from that organization 20 the same 4
eject, and had considered the pleasure which il |
would aford me. II II should be possible. 70
meet not only members OF the Grand Army,
but the people OF St. Louis and other cities in
the West which the occasion would give me an
opportunity 70 visit The cxactions or my
public duties feitto be 80 uncertain. how
ever that. when first confronted by the dele
cation OF which you were the head Tex.
pccted 70 do no more at that time than
20 promise the consideration OF the
iouble invitation rendered me. and
express the pleasure IL would give me 70
accept the same thereafter IL possible hut
he cordiality and sincerity y your presenta-
ion reinforced by the heartiness OF the people
Who surrounded you. 80 impressed me that I
ouid not resist the feeling which prompted
ne 70 assure you on the spot that would be
NTH you and the Grand Army OF the Republic
{ the time designated. II nothing happened IN
he meantime 70 absolutely prevent my leay-
ng Washington
Immediately upon the public announcement
4 this conclusion. expressions emanating
army OF the Republic, and increasing in
olume and yirulencc. constrained me 20 re-
lew my acceptance OF these invitations. The
EXPRESSIONS referred 70 60 70 the extent OF de- |
laring that would be an unwelcome guest at
ne time and place q the National Encamp-
aent This statement Is based. A. well as I
an Judge. upon certain ofyicial acts or mine
lvolying important public interests.
one under the restraints ana
blgations Of my oath OF once. which
o not appear 70 accord with the wishes
some members OF the Grand Army or the |
'cpubc. Irefusc 10 believe that this organ
.ation. founded upon patriotic ideas. com
oscd very largely Of men entitled 20 lasting
onor and confederation. and whose GROWING !
Tory II should be that they are American
tizens as well a. veteran soldiers. deems
part Of its mission 70 compass any ! ,
Dject or purpose BY attempting 10 intimi- /,
ate the Executive or coerce those charged
ith making and executing the laws. And yet
lc expressions 70 which have referred indi-
ate such a prevalence OF unfriendly feeling !
nd such menace 20 an occasion which should
G harmonious, peaceful and cordial that they
an not be ignored beg you 20 understand
lat ! am not conscious OF any act OF
ine which should make me fear
meet the Grand Army OF
le Republic or any other assemblagc or my =
llowcitizens. The account OF my oficiai Z
ewardship Is always ready for presentation =
my countrymcn- should not be frank n Z
lied 70 confess. while disclaiming all resent Z